How do I Manage Grand Avenue Database Growth?

Introduction

Process items, configuration information, and uploaded/imported files are all stored in the Grand Avenue SQL Server database. While each new item increases the system's database storage requirements, uploaded files have the biggest impact on database growth. Every time a large file is uploaded, it increases the size of the database not only by the size of that file, but also for another copy of the file in the audit trail. The audit trail cannot be deleted, so Grand Avenue database storage requirements continually increase, even if items are deleted.

While there is no physical limit on the size of a Grand Avenue database or a performance impact tied to growth, large databases require longer amounts of time for normal maintenance operations (backups prior to version upgrades, regular backup/recovery testing, copies from production to training/upgrade, etc.), so we ask customers to do everything possible to use smaller files when possible (without impacting the quality of any digital content stored in the file). To prevent users from inadvertently uploading large files to Grand Avenue, the system has a default maximum file upload size of 100 MB. That limit is configurable up to a maximum of 400 MB.

Cost Information for Hosted Customers

Hosted customers are given an initial allocation of 20 GB of database storage. If that amount is exceeded, storage can be increased incrementally at an additional charge. If the cost of additional storage is not included in your Hosted Deployment Services Order Form, that information can be obtained by contacting support@grandavenue.com.

Grand Avenue’s current database size is displayed on the About Grand Avenue Software page as shown in the example below:

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Example of the About Grand Avenue Software page

Storing videos in Grand Avenue

In addition to the limits described above, it’s important to note that GAS is not designed for storing and streaming video files. While it's possible to upload video files and store them in the GAS database, users must download complete video files to local file storage and view them in another application.  Because of that and the upload size limit, we usually recommend that customers not store videos directly in Grand Avenue, and instead store them on a separate web server that’s more appropriate for managing and streaming video content.

Storing CAD Assemblies in Grand Avenue

As with video files, GAS is not intended for storing CAD assemblies. The CAD files themselves, plus the corresponding copies of the files in the audit trail, can quickly consume disk space allocated for your Quality Management System (QMS) database. They also have to be downloaded from GAS and opened in another application to be viewed because GAS is not designed to understand the relationship between files in a CAD assembly. Many GAS customers upload PDF versions of 2D drawings as document files so people who do not use CAD applications can easily review markups in DCRs, but changes to the associated 3D models need to happen using Product Data Management (PDM) software that integrates with your selected CAD application.

Changing the Maximum File Upload Size

Before increasing the Maximum File Upload Size , Grand Avenue recommends first taking the following steps to reduce the file size:

• Split the file into multiple smaller pieces

• Compress the file using utilities such as WinZip or WinRAR

For files whose size that cannot be reduced to less than a site’s current maximum, Grand Avenue recommends increasing the limit temporarily and then returning it to the default value after the final version of the file is uploaded. After the limit has been changed, the new value takes effect immediately.

For instructions on changing the Maximum File Upload Size, reference the section below applicable to your Grand Avenue configuration.

All Customers (Grand Avenue 14.7 and higher)

To change the Maximum File Upload Size, click Configure System → Configure System Options. Enter the new value as shown in the example below and click the “Save” button.

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Hosted Customers (Grand Avenue 14.6 and lower)

The Maximum File Upload Size must be changed by Grand Avenue customer support. To upload files whose size cannot be further reduced below your site’s current maximum, send an email with the requested new maximum to support@grandavenue.com.

On-premise Customers (Grand Avenue 14.6 and lower)

The Maximum File Upload Size must be changed in the application’s web.config file. To upload files whose size cannot be further reduced below your site’s current maximum, send an email to support@grandavenue.com requesting detailed instructions.